William Thompson
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Did Bill Thompson Get a Copy of Today’s Fake Post? [Updated]
The latest production of the Yes Men hit the streets and the Web today: an Onion-esque "Special Edition" of the New York Post devoted completely to climate change, released ahead of this week's global summit at UN headquarters. Coming in at 32 pages in print, there's a lot here to digest -- including a fun take down of livable streets skeptic Steve Cuozzo, whose alter ego sees the error of his auto-centric ways.
September 21, 2009
Bill Thompson: I’ll Rip Out Bike Lanes and “Review” Safer Streets
Bill Thompson is making it pretty hard for New Yorkers who care about safe streets to get behind his campaign for mayor. With Tony Avella out of the way, Thompson has no bike lane-bashing rival nipping at his heels. There's no anti-livable streets flank to shore up. But that didn't stop the Democratic nominee from telling a NY1 crew that he'll rip out the Grand Street bike lane at the first opportunity:
September 18, 2009
Thompson, Avella Pledge to Dump Sadik-Khan If Elected
I didn't get to watch last night's Democratic mayoral debate between Bill Thompson and Tony Avella, so I missed the high drama that ensued when the candidates were asked if they'll retain Janette Sadik-Khan as transportation commissioner. Good thing Brian Lehrer played excerpts on his show this morning (check the 13:40 mark). Now I know the answer from both: "No."
August 27, 2009
Find Out Where They Stand: 73 Candidates Reply to TA Transpo Survey
If you're wondering where the Post picked up the news that Mayor Bloomberg is on the record supporting bike-share for New York, head over to the Transportation Alternatives Candidate Survey. You'll find much more about where the people running for Mayor, Manhattan DA, City Council, Comptroller, Public Advocate, and the borough presidencies stand on transportation issues.
August 20, 2009
Bill Thompson, Business Owners Decry Phantom Bike Lane
At a recent campaign stop in Greenwich Village, city comptroller and mayoral candidate William Thompson got an earful from local merchants about the hardships of running a small business. While Tea & Sympathy owner Sean Kavanagh-Dowsett calling Chris Quinn "a whore," and Thompson's reaction, made headlines citywide, The Villager's account of the forum contained this interesting nugget:
August 12, 2009
Q & A With Charles Komanoff on Kheel Plan 2
Today Ted Kheel released a revised version of his plan to fund transit through a congestion pricing mechanism on motor vehicle traffic. Streetsblog spoke to one of Kheel's lead analysts, Charles Komanoff, about the updated plan (see the major components here) and why he believes it offers a more comprehensive answer to New York City's transportation problems than the MTA rescue package unveiled by the Ravitch Commission last week. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
December 10, 2008
Thompson: Car Commuters Should Pay Their Fair Share
City comptroller and mayoral candidate William Thompson is urging the Ravitch Commission today to push for a revival of the commuter tax to help stave off an MTA "doomsday scenario," expected to unfold next spring unless the agency gets help.
November 24, 2008
Enforcement Lags as Tour Bus Companies Flout Pollution Regs
Comptroller William Thompson and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer want the city to enforce a law mandating that sightseeing buses reduce harmful emissions. Meanwhile, a citizen group called "Tour Buses No -- Tourists Yes" also wants the buses off residential streets.
October 23, 2008
Will Congestion Pricing Make or Break Mayoral Campaigns?
While we wait to see what happens, or doesn't happen, today in Albany, New York Magazine takes a look at four mayoral aspirants and how their positions on congestion pricing may affect their chances of succeeding Michael Bloomberg.
April 7, 2008
Bloomberg Says There’s No Reason Pricing Shouldn’t Pass
Mayor Bloomberg (far, far background) at the Battery Park City Ritz-Carlton this morning
March 19, 2008